The College’s governing Council and its committees meet regularly throughout the year to make decisions concerning the College’s policy work and initiatives which enable it to meeting its mandate of protecting and serving the public interest.Read more!

Registration Process

All applications for licensure are reviewed by the College Registrar. If an application meets all of the requirements for a particular licence, the application is approved and the applicant will become a licensed member. Standard processing time for a complete application meeting all requirements is five business days.

The Registrar, according to the Veterinarians Act, may refer, and on the request of an applicant shall refer, an application to the Registration Committee for its review and decision when:

an applicant does not meet the qualifications and requirements for the issuance of a licence;

the past conduct of the applicant affords reasonable ground for believing that the applicant will not engage in the practice of veterinary medicine with honesty and integrity; or

there is reasonable ground for believing that the applicant is impaired.

The College's Applicant Character Assessment Policy Statement explains how the College assess information from or about applicants whose past conduct raises questions about their ability to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine with honest and integrity.

Authority of the Registration Committee

The Registration Committee is permitted to exempt an applicant from any licensure requirement. The requirement for an applicant to have earned a basic degree in veterinary medicine, however, is non-exemptible. The Committee considers all applications on a case-by-case basis.

The Registration Committee endeavours to maintain standards of entry-level competence that ensures both public protection and equitable access to the profession.

Registrar Referrals

Applicants are notified of a referral of their application by the Registrar and are provided with an opportunity to submit any additional written information that they would like the Committee to consider. Any material that is provided to the College in support of the application will be provided to the Committee. The Committee will review the application and all relevant information before making its decision.

Applicants requesting a referral to the Registration Committee

The College must receive an application for licensure, payment of the application fee, and a letter addressed to the Registration Committee outlining the request and the reasons why the request should be granted before the Registration Committee will review an application.

Submitting Materials to the Committee

Application materials and supporting documents should be sent to Lindsay Sproule, Principal Licensure & Professional Corporations.

The following materials may be submitted to support a request:

a current resume detailing experience in veterinary medicine to date;

employment confirmation letters from all past and/or present employers in any jurisdiction where the applicant has practised that states responsibilities, employment dates and length of practice experience with that employer;

any other information that the applicant believes would support their request.

In preparing your submissions, answering the following questions may help you ensure a complete submission.

Education

Have you completed any education other than your first veterinary degree? (Masters in Veterinary Science, Doctor of Veterinary Science, PhD in an area of Veterinary Medicine or other relevant degree)

Have you completed any additional continuing education courses?

Was there an evaluation component?

Was the course material related to veterinary medicine?

Have you completed the Veterinary Skills Training Enhancement Program or any other bridging program?

Practice Experience

How many years have you practised veterinary medicine and when was the last time you practised?

Registration Committee Decisions

College staff will notify an applicant of the Committee’s decision within two business days after the meeting. The applicant will be provided with a written decision explaining the Committee’s reasons within four to six weeks of the meeting date.

If you have questions about referrals to the Registration Committee contact Lindsay Sproule, Principal Licensure & Professional Corporations at lsproule@cvo.org.

2018 Registration Committee Dates

Dates are subject to change. The Registration Committee meetings are not open to attend. The Registration Committee conducts reviews of written submissions.